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Dear Editor The political stunt by uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) in laying charges of treason against Afriforum, is something South Africa can ill-afford as we navigate a turbulent and rapidly-changing global political environment. Everyone in our country has a shared interest in building our capacity to weather the gathering global storm, occasioned by recent international events. …
In uncertain times, finding a dependable way to access extra funds can be crucial. Converting assets like gold and jewelry into cash is a popular and effective method many people rely on. Whether you have family heirlooms, outdated pieces, or broken items, here’s an in-depth look at how you can convert these assets into cash …
Relief for consumers as fuel price set to drop
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced the adjustment of fuel prices with effect from 5 March 2025.
Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for March 2025 will be adjusted as follows:
“South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors. International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs, e.g, shipping costs,” the department said in a statement.
One of the main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from US$77.41 to US$74.89 during the period under review. The main contributing factors are the continued lower global demand and over supply from non-OPEC countries.
Furthermore, the Russia/Ukraine ceasefire negotiations which could result in a possible increase in global supply of crude oil, said the department.
The average international petroleum product prices of petrol increased due to refinery shutdowns and maintenance in the US in preparation for the switching to summer fuel grade.
The prices of diesel followed the decreasing trend of crude oil.
“These factors led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol and illuminating paraffin by 6.92 c/l and 8.09 c/l respectively, and lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of diesel by 7.66 c/l,” it said.
The Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar - from 18.73 to 18.50 Rand per US Dollar - during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 13.54 c/l, 14.45 c/l and 14.15 c/l respectively.
The department said the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R2.29 billion for petrol and diesel of at the end of January 2025.
“In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, a slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 5th of March 2025.”
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana approved an increase from 0.1 c/l to 1.0 c/l in the IP Tracer Dye Levy applicable to Diesel with effect from 06 March 2024 to 05 March 2025.
The increase was temporary until 05 March 2025 and therefore IP Tracer Dye levy has been decreased to 0.5 c/l with effect from 05 March 2025. - SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 13:21
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Acclaimed musician, composer, and storyteller Mandisi Dyantyis is set to captivate audiences at the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts on Sunday, 9 March 2025. Known for his seamless fusion of jazz, Western classical, and African indigenous music, Dyantyis promises a powerful afternoon of music that speaks to the soul. Mandisi Dyantyis has earned his place as …
Tuesday, 04 March 2025: Eskom, in collaboration with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee, continues to combat corruption and theft within its operations. The ongoing efforts have resulted in a series of arrests, with the financial impact of these crimes totalling R1.09 million. To date, R873,000 has...
GDP increases by 0.6% in Quarter 4 of 2024
South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1% in the third quarter of 2024.
This is according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which attributed the growth to, among others, an increase by 17.2% in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry, which contributed 0.4 of a percentage point to the positive GDP growth.
“This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for field crops and animal products. The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.1%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for financial intermediation, real estate activities and other business services,” Stats SA said on Tuesday
The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.4%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point.
Increased economic activities were reported for wholesale trade, retail trade and motor trade.
“The transport, storage and communication industry decreased by 1.0%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Decreased economic activities were reported for land transport and transport support services.
“The manufacturing industry decreased by 0.6%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Six of the 10 manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates. The largest negative contributions were reported for the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories, and other transport equipment division,” Stats SA said.
General government services decreased by 0.5%. This was mainly due to decreased employment in national and provincial government and extra-budgetary institutions.
The electricity, gas and water industry decreased by 1.4%. This was largely due to decreases in electricity production and consumption.
The mining and quarrying industry decreased by 0.2%. Decreased economic activities were reported for manganese ore and iron ore.
Expenditure on GDP
As far as the expenditure on real GDP, it increased by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1% in the third quarter of 2024.
“Household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) increased by 1.0%, contributing 0.6 of a percentage point to the total growth. Positive growth rates were reported for semi-durable, durable and non-durable goods,” Stats SA said.
The main positive contributors to the increase in HFCE were expenditures on clothing and footwear (4.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); recreation and culture (2.5% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (1.9% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); ‘other’ (0.9% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); health (1.2% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point), and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (1.4% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point).
Stats SA said the negative contributors were expenditures on transport and restaurants and hotels.
“Final consumption expenditure by general government decreased by 0.8%, contributing -0.2 of a percentage point to the total growth. This was mainly driven by decreases in purchases of goods and services and compensation of employees.
“Gross fixed capital formation decreased by 0.7%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point to the total growth.
"The negative contributors to the decrease were residential buildings (-7.5% and contributing -0.9 of a percentage point), machinery and other equipment (-1.3% and contributing -0.5 of a percentage point) and non-residential buildings (-2.7% and contributing -0.2 of a percentage point),” Stats SA said.
There was a R16.4 billion drawdown of inventories (seasonally adjusted and annualised value).
Large decreases in two industries, namely mining and trade, catering and accommodation, contributed to the inventory drawdown.
“Net exports made a neutral contribution (0.0 percentage points) to expenditure on GDP. Exports of goods and services increased by 2.1%, largely influenced by increased trade in pearls, precious and semiprecious stones and precious metals, and chemical products
“Imports of goods and services increased by 2.0%, largely influenced by increased trade in vehicles and transport equipment excluding large aircraft; vegetable products; and machinery and electrical equipment,” Stats SA said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 13:34
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Hlabisa to launch the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group in SA
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially launch the inaugural virtual meeting of the Group of Twenty Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (G20 DRR WG) under the South African Presidency on Thursday.
South Africa will host the G20 under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”, which will serve as the guiding principles for collective engagements.
Through the G20 DRR WG, South Africa has a unique opportunity to reinforce the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction implementation and support the acceleration of early warnings for all initiatives, a key global target set by the United Nations (UN).
The Sendai Framework emphasises the importance of implementing measures that target the three dimensions of disaster risk – exposure to hazards, vulnerability and capacity, and the characteristics of hazards.
Its goals are to prevent the creation of new risks, reduce existing risks, and enhance resilience.
Having acknowledged the work done by India and Brazil’s Presidencies in strengthening the G20 DRR WG the South African Presidency has decided to retain all six priorities agreed upon under those Presidencies.
The launch of this working group’s first meeting by Hlabisa forms part of a series of ministerial and working group meetings that will take place throughout 2025.
These discussions are expected to culminate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 13:41
178 views
KwaMagxaki customer care centre reopens after four-year closure
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s KwaMagxaki customer care centre has officially reopened its doors following a four-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During its non-operational period, the centre suffered significant damage from vandalism, which affected the building structure, including electrical cables and other vital equipment.
This forced ratepayers from KwaMagxaki, KwaDwesi, Veeplas, Zwide, Joe Slovo and KwaDwesi Extension to travel to other areas for assistance with their accounts, assistance with applications and general inquiries.
Speaking at the official re-opening of the centre on Monday, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the current administration is committed to ensuring efficient service delivery.
"We are happy that the people will no longer have to pay for transport to go pay their rates or inquire about our services, especially the indigent and the elderly. We have brought the service to their doorstep,” Lobishe said.
Lobishe said the metro is making it easier for residents to receive services and pay for them.
"For us to balance the service we offer and the payment of such service, it is critical that the centres... are where people are. We call upon our people to work with us in protecting this centre against vandals.”
Services to be offered at the centre include 'assistance to the poor (ATTP)' applications, debt repayment arrangements, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) registration, water rebate applications, Estate Late Project (free property transfer for surviving ATTP beneficiaries) and opening of service accounts.
The centre will also assist with property valuation certificates, copies of municipal statements, and account balance enquiries.
Mayoral Committee Member for Budget and Treasury, Khanya Ngqisha, said the directorate is working towards providing a hassle-free service that is cost effective for ratepayers.
"We are excited, as this will serve our residents efficiently. We encourage our people to come and receive the services that have been tailor-made for them,” Ngqisha said.
One of the residents from KwaMaxgaki, Zoleka Jonas, said she was pleased that the centre has been opened.
"We will no longer spend money to go to town for services. It will just be a walk-in, and your enquiries will be solved. We are grateful to our ward councillor and the mayor for this service,” said Jonas. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:07
178 views
Johannesburg, March 4, 2025: The amalgamation of the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS), the Credit Ombud (CO), the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance (OLTI), and the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) into the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) marked a significant moment for the financial services sector in South Africa as consumers and companies within the financial …
Cape Town to host Cape Town Cycle Tour
The Western Cape Government (WCG) will welcome over 30 000 cyclists for the Cape Town Cycle Tour set to take place on Sunday, 9 March 2025.
This iconic event is a highlight of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s sporting calendar, attracting participants from across the country and around the world.
According to the WCG, major sporting events such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour bring many benefits to the province as international and domestic cyclists are expected to boost the already thriving tourism sector, which is critical to creating jobs.
MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, who will also be taking part, said: “We welcome all cyclists to our province, and I am excited to see more and more people taking up cycling and living active and healthy lifestyles. Please be safe during the tour. All the best to the riders and the organisers. I look forward to seeing you out on the road.”
The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport supports major sporting events in the province as it encourages regular participation in sports, as well as playing an important role in the economy, from tourism, hospitality, and retail, to creating direct and indirect jobs.
Taking riders on a 109km route around the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Town Cycle Tour has been described as South Africa’s must-do cycling event.
Several Cape Town roads will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:18
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There was obvious disappointment and some distress in the Springbok Women’s Sevens camp on Sunday after they finished third at the first World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 tournament at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, but once the dust had settled, the positives started to emerge ahead of the second tournament in the series, to …
4 March 2025 – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 37-member preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin this month. Broos’ charges host Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, on 21 March 2025 (kick off is at 18h00) and then travel to Côte d’Ivoire to […]
The post Broos announces preliminary squad for World Cup clashes against Lesotho, Benin first appeared on SAFA.net.
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Constitutional Advancement team visits Phoenix College and teaches learners about the Constitution, their rights and how to be an active and responsible citizen.
The post FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION EMPOWERS YOUTH AT PHOENIX COLLEGE appeared first on FW de Klerk Foundation.
Government welcomes GDP growth
Government has welcomed the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data released by Statistics South Africa, which shows that the economy expanded by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The growth followed a contraction of 0.1% in the third quarter.
Growth in the fourth quarter was primarily driven by the agriculture, finance, and trade sectors on the production side, while household spending led growth on the expenditure side.
“The latest GDP data is encouraging and signals a welcome recovery, especially because one of government’s immediate priorities is to ensure positive economic growth that will encourage business development and provide more opportunities for employment, especially for women and the youth,” Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General, Terry Vandayar, said on Tuesday.
GCIS said government has put in place a broad range of programmes and policies to support the growth of small businesses, develop infrastructure for faster economic growth, and encourage investment from inside and outside of South Africa.
“Working with various stakeholders, Government will continue to build on this momentum to drive even greater economic resilience,” GCIS said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 15:33
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eThekwini Municipality tackles water challenges
The eThekwini Municipality will continue to work on various interventions to manage and reduce the increase in water demand that has resulted in the recurring disruption of water supply.
To manage the demand and to build storage, the municipality has implemented rationing in many areas, especially in the Northern and Southern areas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the municipality noted that demand currently exceeds supply by approximately 100 megalitres a day, resulting in further strain on the system.
This is due to the current curtailment measures that were implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water in October last year.
“To augment the water supply, comprehensive plans have been set in motion in collaboration with the national Department of Water and Sanitation and uMngeni-uThukela Water to construct and commission the uMkhomazi Dam, a pivotal project to augment water supply to the city,” the municipality said.
The municipality is also actively implementing various medium-term interventions, including infrastructure upgrades, pipeline replacements, and a comprehensive leak detection and repair programme.
The installation of pressure management valves, dysfunctional meter replacements, the incorporation of technology to enhance meter accuracy, and improvements in billing and debtor management, are also being implemented.
“Currently, areas in the West of the city are experiencing intermittent supply due to the shutdown of the 53 Pipeline by uMngeni-uThukela Water. This was done to allow the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to relocate approximately 200m of the 53 Pipeline, as part of its N3 upgrade project,” the municipality said.
Durban’s beachfront set for major overhaul
Meanwhile, Durban’s iconic beachfront is set to undergo a major transformation, with a complete facelift and redevelopment of the buildings along the promenade.
Over the past few years, changes have been made to improve the offering to visitors on the beachfront, ensuring that it remains a world-class facility.
Head of the Real Estate Unit, Thapelo Mmusinyane noted that as tenant leases expire, the municipality follows proper process to invite bids for the development of innovative new spaces and eateries that will elevate the beachfront experience.
This forms an integral part of the City’s Proactive Land Release Strategy, which was adopted in September 2021.
The strategy enables the city to proactively manage surplus land, assisting the city to achieve its developmental objectives, stimulate economic activity and Black economic empowerment, and promoting economic transformation in the property sector.
Mmusinyane explained that between May 2021 and November 2022, 25 properties were put up for bid, with 10 new leases being awarded to companies 100% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals.
“All 10 awards were made to companies that are 100% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals. On the beachfront in particular, properties that have been affected are Circus, Bike and Bean, and Minitown.”
Mmusinyane added that the historic building in which Joe Cools and other eateries are housed, will be upgraded soon by a developer, who will then sublet the space to suitable tenants.
He assured the public that a fair, equitable, and transparent process was followed as stipulated in Section 14(5) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
“This section mandates that the disposal, including leasing of municipal properties must adhere to principles of fairness, equity, transparency, and competitiveness in line with the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy (Section 111 of the MFMA).
“Renewing the leases without an open, competitive process would have violated these principles, as well as Section 217(1) of the Constitution, which upholds the same standards for public procurement. Therefore, lease renewals could not be granted without contravening the law,” he explained. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:47
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Call for NPOs to work with government to address FATF challenges
As South Africa intensifies efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list by year-end, Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, has called on non-profit organisations (NPOs) and the civil society sector to work with government in achieving this goal.
The Deputy Minister made this remark at the start of the three-day multi-stakeholder engagement convened by the Department of Social Development at Premier Hotel OR Tambo, in Kempton Park on Monday.
The engagement is focusing on Recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force, which aims to protect NPOs from potential terrorist financing and money laundering abuse through effective implementation of risk-based measures.
READ | Social Development hosts engagement session on the FATF’s Recommendation 8
The FATF is the international standard-setting body that oversees global compliance with anti-money laundering rules.
In his address, Hendricks cautioned government against using legislation to stifle the operations of legitimate NPOs that play a vital role in communities across South Africa.
“Our National Development Plan (NDP, Vision 2030) calls for active citizenry especially from the grassroots level. We must therefore guard overburdening and frustrating grassroots initiatives through the use of legislation.
“The objective of the NPO Act is to create an enabling legislative environment for the NPO sector to thrive and contribute to our national development agenda”, the Deputy Minister said.
The Deputy Minister’s sentiments were echoed by representatives from Kagiso Trust, Afrika Tikkun, Thuthuka Foundation, The Grail Centre Trust and Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (CIBA), all of which expressed concerns about “over-regulating the NPO sector”.
Speaking on behalf of the National Treasury, which is the lead government department in addressing all of the FATF’s recommendations, Ismail Momoniat mentioned that while South Africa has made great progress towards exiting the grey list, much more still need to be done with regard to full satisfying FATF’s global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.
“[The] FATF is not satisfied with the mere existence of national legislation, but also enforcement of administrative penalties for high-risk NPOs that fail to comply with the provisions of the law. We need to look beyond FATF’s standards and collectively work towards ensuring a national blueprint on transparency and accountability”, Momoniat said.
The latest report from FATF shows that South Africa has partly met the criteria for Recommendation 8.
One of the FATF’s requirements is that Social Development, as the regulator of the NPO sector in terms of the NPO Act (Act No. 71 of 1997, as amended through the General Laws Amendment Act 22 of 2022), has to conduct more outreach and educational programmes with NPOs to promote better understanding of the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.
Survey
To assess the risks of terror financing in the sector, South Africa conducted a national survey with a sample of 301 registered associations, non-profit companies and public benefit organisations from databases of the Department of Social Development, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The survey found that NPOs in South Africa were exposed to medium risks from the operations of known terror organisations such as the Islamic State and its affiliates in Africa, al-Shabab and its affiliates in East Africa Boko Haram, amongst others.
Of the 301 NPOs surveyed, 120 were identified as high-risk. The survey found that the nature of risks associated with NPOs in South Africa include but not limited to, NPOs facilitating foreign travel for terrorist causes, using multiple bank accounts, being used as conduit to channel foreign funds to terrorist groups in Africa, supporting terrorist causes through cash and using the internet and online media for fundraising recruitment and propaganda.
The Acting Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, Advocate Peter Smit emphasised that since FATF Recommendation 8 does not apply to all NPOs, it is important for South Africa to show that the majority of NPOs are not high-risk and therefore should not be subjected to restrictive legislative and administrative requirements.
FATF is scheduled to conduct an onsite visit on Recommendation 8 in South Africa in September this year as part of the periodic reporting requirement to exit the grey list.
The FATF grey listed South Africa at its February 2023 plenary meeting held in Paris. It developed an Action Plan with 22 Action items linked to the eight strategic deficiencies identified in the country’s anti-money laundering and combating of financial terrorism regime.
The second day of the multi-stakeholder engagement will focus on national and international perspectives and the impact of Recommendation 8 on NPOs, as well as sharing of best practice from Uganda, which has successfully been removed from FATF grey list. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 13:56
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Johannesburg, South Africa, 4 March 2025: St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies, has received official recognition from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), with the approval valid for three years, until October 2027. This designation allows SGU graduates from South Africa to return to the country and practice medicine …
BMA to host Public-Private Partnerships Conference
The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato will on Friday deliver a keynote address at the 2nd Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Defence and Security Conference.
The conference to take place at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre in Pretoria, will be focus on empowering the defence sector through strategic public-private partnerships.
It will be held under the theme: "Empowering the Defence Sector through Public-Private Partnerships."
In his address, Masiapato is expected to elaborate on the role of public-private partnerships in border management and underscore the potential opportunities arising from collaboration with the private sector.
The Commissioner will also examine the progress made in implementing the BMA’s PPPs, as well as lessons learned and application to other PPPs in the defences and security sector.
He will further discuss opportunities for future BMA partnerships with the private sector and provide an update on the accomplishments of the BMA, as the authority will celebrate its second anniversary in April 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, the BMA said the authority asserts that effective and well-managed borders are crucial for ensuring public safety, promoting economic growth and safeguarding national interests.
“With only four days remaining before the conference, the BMA is poised to engage in discussions on empowering the defence and security sector through Public-Private Partnerships. These discussions forms part of objectives of securing borders for development and protecting South Africa’s interests to the fullest extent possible, the BMA said.
A diverse range of high-level speakers, including Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister, Major General (Ret) Bantu Holomisa, and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Holomisa will explore partnership opportunities in implementing South Africa’s Defence review, while Maphwanya will provide the SANDF’s perspective on PPPs, addressing critical funding needs, and how the private sector can contribute to future preparedness.
In addition, a selection of experts from various fields will engage in critical panel discussions addressing the current advancements, challenges and strategic opportunities associated with public-private partnerships in the realm of defence and security within South Africa. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 13:42
10 views
Dear Editor Today’s GDP figures confirm what South Africans already feel in their daily lives: the economy is in crisis, growth is stagnant, and jobs remain scarce. A 0.6% growth rate is a warning sign that unless urgent action is taken, the country will continue to slide deeper into economic decline, and justifies the DA’s …
Dear Editor The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) 2023/2024 Annual Performance Report is appalling and exposes a disturbing rise in police misconduct across South Africa. With over 5,000 cases reported in the past year, the report paints a grim picture of law enforcement officers violating the very laws they are meant to uphold. The DA …
W Cape welcomes lifting of ban on vegetable exports to Botswana
Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed the lifting of the ban on vegetable exports to Botswana.
This is after the previous administration of Botswana, led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, imposed a ban on South African produce to support domestic farmers and reduce reliance on imports, which has since been lifted by President Duma Boko.
Meyer believes this move will encourage increased trade among Southern African Customs Union (SACU) members, who view the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical tool for developing regional value chains and enhancing exports.
According to the MEC, Botswana’s gradual lifting of vegetable imports will occur in two phases.
Phase 1, which began in December 2024, includes vegetables such as turmeric, patty pan, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green peas, sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflower, gem squash, baby marrow, green bean, sweet melon, mushroom, calabash, cantaloup and eggplant.
Meanwile, Phase 2 is expected to start on 1 April 2025 and will see an easing of restrictions on beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrot, garlic, ginger, green melon, herbs, lettuce, onion, potato, sweet pepper, tomato and watermelon.
The MEC said the Western Cape accounted for 37% (or R3.3 million) of South Africa’s vegetable exports to Botswana in quarter four of 2024.
Regarding the contribution to Phase 1 nationally, Meyer said the provincial share has steadily increased during the period under review, reaching 63% in quarter 3 of 2024 and dropping to 55% in quarter 4 of 2024.
“It is expected that with the lifting of import restriction for vegetables listed in Phase 2, there will be an improvement in South African exports to Botswana, including those from the Western Cape,” Meyer said.
The MEC has since encouraged fair trade between SADC partners, saying the lifting of these restrictions is a move in the right direction.
“Our trade relations with our regional partners are mutually beneficial,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he said an improvement in exports to Botswana takes the province closer to the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs plan, which aims to triple the value of Western Cape exports of goods and services, including tourism, to R450 billion by 2035. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:46
2 views
“Despite February being a short month, it was not a particularly short sales month, providing wherewithal for consumers to act on renewed confidence and easing affordability,” says Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank. From: Wesbank Automotive More Info here: CLICK HERE to submit a Video Press Release to MyPR.
OUTA calls out government’s hollow anti-corruption rhetoric at G20 Summit and presents Minister of Finance with input for R500bn savings and additional income for Budget 2025. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) notes with concern the statements made by Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi at the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group on Monday 3 March 2025, where …
The countdown has begun! 5 reasons not to miss the Sardine Run on the KZN South Coast The change in season is an exciting time on the KZN South Coast, with the cooler temperatures bringing the annual marine phenomenon – the Sardine Run! This annual spectacle is a treat for visitors to the region, making …